12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 7: According to French

Question

12 Days of Christmas 🎅 GMAT Competition with Lots of Questions & Fun

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot  walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting
(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting
(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Verb Forms + Tenses + Meaning + Pronouns + Redundancy/Awkwardness

Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that according to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot that can walk on four legs has proved useful in transporting heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present. 
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
• “useful + in + present participle (“verb+ing”- “transporting” in this sentence) is a correct, idiomatic construction.

A. Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “walking on four legs”; the use of the present participle (“verb+ing” – “walking” in this sentence) incorrectly implies that the robot was in the process of walking on four legs, when the French Military officials made the statement about it; the intended meaning is that a uniquely agile robot that can walk on four legs has proved useful in transporting heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain. Further, Option A incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “useful + infinitive form of verb (“to + base form of verb”- “to + transport” in this sentence) rather than the idiomatic construction “useful + in + present participle (“verb+ing”- “transporting” in this sentence).

B. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “walking on four legs”; the use of the present participle (“verb+ing” – “walking” in this sentence)incorrectly implies that the robot was in the process of walking on four legs, when the French Military officials made the statement about it; the intended meaning is that a uniquely agile robot that can walk on four legs has proved useful in transporting heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain. Besides, the usage “useful as a transport for” in this answer choice is wordy and awkward.

C. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “walking on four legs”; the use of the present participle (“verb+ing” – “walking” in this sentence)incorrectly implies that the robot was in the process of walking on four legs, when the French Military officials made the statement about it; the intended meaning is that a uniquely agile robot that can walk on four legs has proved useful in transporting heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb “proves” to refer an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the simple present tense is used only indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “useful + as + present participle (“verb+ing”- “transporting” in this sentence) rather than the idiomatic construction “useful + in + present participle (“verb+ing”- “transporting” in this sentence).

D. Correct.  This answer choice correctly uses “that walks” to modify “uniquely agile robot”, conveying the intended meaning - that a uniquely agile robot that can walk on four legs has proved useful in transporting heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain. Further, Option D correctly uses the present perfect tense verb “has proved” to refer to an event that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present. Additionally, Option D correctly uses the idiomatic construction “useful + in + present participle (“verb+ing”- “transporting” in this sentence).

E. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb “proves” to refer an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the simple present tense is used only to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “useful + infinitive form of verb (“to + base form of verb”- “to + transport” in this sentence) rather than the idiomatic construction “useful + in + present participle (“verb+ing”- “transporting” in this sentence).

D is the best answer choice.

____________________________
  Video Explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlzKPfKKUL0

Shwetamed · Answer

D.

A.B.C. 'walking on four legs' implies that the robot is useful because of this/while walking
E. 'proves' wrong. present perfect tense correct instead of present tense.

arpan7 · Answer

correct verb: has been proved/has proved itself
Ans B

vishal_gupta · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot  walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport (in transporting is better than to transport in this case)
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for (robot proving itself, doesn't make any sense)
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting (same as B) 
  (D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting   (That correctly modifies the robot and sentence correctly shows the robot purpose)
 (E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport (same as B)

poojaarora1818 · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot  walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport Incorrect 
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for Incorrect 
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting Incorrect 
(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting Incorrect 
(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport Correct

Schinchan_bh · Answer

(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting

This option provides a grammatically correct and clear sentence structure. It uses "that walks on four legs" to introduce the description of the robot, and "has proved useful in transporting" effectively conveys the robot's functionality.

DongTan · Answer

Option (A) "walking on four legs has proved useful to transport" is grammatically correct, but it lacks clarity. It is not clear what is being transported.

Option (B) "walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for" is also grammatically correct, but it is unnecessarily wordy. It adds "itself" without adding any significant meaning.

Option (C) "walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting" is not grammatically correct. The phrase "useful as transporting" is not idiomatic or clear.

Option (D) "that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting" accurately conveys the intended meaning. The phrase "that walks on four legs" refers to the uniquely agile robot, and "has proved useful in transporting" clearly states the robot's usefulness in transportation.

Option (E) "that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport" is grammatically correct but, similar to option (B), it adds the word "itself" without adding clarity or significant meaning.

In summary, option (D) is the correct choice as it provides a clear and concise structure while accurately conveying the intended meaning.

SushantPaudel · Answer

Analyzing each option:

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport
 - This option uses the phrase "walking on four legs" to describe the robot and suggests that the purpose is to transport.

(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for
 - Similar to (A), but with a slight modification in phrasing. It adds "itself" and uses "as a transport for."

(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting
 - This option has a slight grammatical issue. The phrase "as transporting" is not standard usage. It should be "useful in transporting."

(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting
 - This option introduces the relative pronoun "that" and correctly uses "in transporting."

(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport
 - Similar to (B) and (C), but with the addition of "itself" and "to transport".So, this is not correct option.

Among these options, (D) is the most grammatically correct and clear in conveying the intended meaning.

sj296 · Answer

(A)  walking  on four legs has proved  useful to  transport.................'useful in' should have been used.

(B)  walking  on four legs has proved  itself   useful as  a transport for.......................'walking' is not needed. 'itself useful as' is unidiomatic.

(C)  walking  on four legs  proves   itself   useful as  transporting.........Same as B. Also, S-V error.

(D)  that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting .................Seems fine

(E) that walks on four legs  proves   itself useful to  transport.................S-V error and 'itself useful to' is unidiomatic.

IMO OA should be D.

Archit3110 · Answer

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  -verb ing issue also to transport leads to meaning issue
 (B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for  transport for is wrong usage 
 (C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting  as transporting is incorrect
 (D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting  correct option 
 (E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport  meaning issue
  
OPTION D is correct

pooh.2304 · Answer

(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting

This option provides a clear and grammatically correct construction. It uses "that walks" to introduce the description of the robot and maintains proper syntax for conveying the intended meaning.

bv8562 · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot  walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport -  using present participle "walking" is incorrect as the robot is not currently walking 
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for -  the robot had no intention of proving itself 
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting -  Usage of simple present tense is incorrect. As it is not a routine task. 
(D)  that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting 
(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport -  Usage of simple present tense is incorrect. As it is not a routine task.

anubhuti9 · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot walking on four legs has proved useful to transport heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain

(A)  walking  on four legs has proved useful to transport ==> Walking is not verb here
(B)  walking  on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for ==> Walking is not verb here
(C)  walking  on four legs proves itself useful as transporting ==> Walking is not verb here
(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting ==> Correct due to present perfect tense
(E) that walks on four legs  proves  itself useful to transport ==> Wrong due to Simple present

Answer D

brp616 · Answer

A - has proved useful to transport mixes tenses and sounds awkward

B - has proved itself useful as a transport for - introduces unnecessary language like 'proved  itself  useful' and 'as a transport for' instead of 'in transporting'

C - 'proves' is present tense here where it does not make sense

D - 'has proved useful in transporting' uses the right tense and most efficient language

E - same issue with 'proves'

$!vakumar.m · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot  walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.
- the usage of reflexive pronoun "itself" is not necessary
- It's more idiomatic to say "useful in transporting" or "useful for transporting"
(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport - the phrase "has proved" is in the present perfect tense, while the infinitive "to transport" suggests a future action - thus, the sentence is less clear - incorrect
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for - the phrase "useful as a transport for" is awkward - incorrect
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting - the phrase "useful as transporting" is awkward - incorrect

(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting

This option provides a grammatically correct and clear sentence structure. It uses "that walks on four legs" to introduce the description of the robot, and "has proved useful in transporting" effectively conveys the robot's functionality.

(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport - usage of proves itself and usage of useful to transport - makes option E less clear than option D. 
Answer D

nivivacious · Answer

(A) Incorrect: The phrase "useful to transport" is awkward so we can check if any other option make more sense
(B) Incorrect: Like A, the phrase "useful as a transport for" is awkward 
(C) Incorrect: The phrase "useful as transporting" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't make sense.
(D) Correct: The phrase "useful in transporting" is more precise and idiomatic than "useful to transport" or "useful as a transport for." It also correctly uses the relative clause "that" needed in this sentence.
(E) Incorrect: The phrase "useful to transport" is awkward
Hence D

jaysea · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot walking on four legs has proved useful to transport heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport. Doesn't explain why the robot has proved useful as well as D
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for. Same as A
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting. same as A and transporting used incorrectly here
(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting . This segment attributes the usefulness to the trait of being able to walk on four legs. Choose D
(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport. "proves" is wrong tense here.

Elite097 · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot walking on four legs has proved useful to transport heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport
Walking is wrong as we are describing a general fact

(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for
Walking is wrong as we are describing a general fact

(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting
Walking is wrong as we are describing a general fact

(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting
This corrects the error and also correctly uses in transporting

(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport
Use of Infiniti’s indicates as though it proves itself in order to transport

And D

Posted from my mobile device

juancarlos12 · Answer

According to French Military officials, a uniquely agile robot  walking on four legs has proved useful to transport  heavy equipment over long stretches of rough, mountainous terrain.

uniquely agile robot --> This phrased is right (adv + adj + noun) and it is not necessary to add more nouns, so option A,B and C are incorrects.

(A) walking on four legs has proved useful to transport -->Wrong
(B) walking on four legs has proved itself useful as a transport for -->Wrong
(C) walking on four legs proves itself useful as transporting -->Wrong 
(D) that walks on four legs has proved useful in transporting -->Right  
(E) that walks on four legs proves itself useful to transport -->The robot proves itself? --> Doesn't make sense --> Wrong

Right answer: D

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 7: According to French

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 7: According to French

Prep Toolkit

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My Rewards